One Bracken Ridge teen is proving there are no limits when it comes to achieving your goals.
Lochy Townsend, a Scout with Bracken Ridge Scout Group, has recently been honoured with the Australian Scout Award, the top award in Scouting. Lochy also has cerebral palsy and is largely non-verbal.
His Scouting journey began at Agoonoree, an inclusive camp where he first attended as a guest. The experience had such an impact on Lochy and his family that they began looking for a Scout Group where he could continue his journey.
Bracken Ridge Scout Group became that home.
Through his parents Robert and Alysha, Lochy communicated to the Sandgate Guide how honoured he was to receive the award.
“Receiving my Australian Scout Award I am thinking of two things – how far I have come and how many people have helped me get here,” he said.
“This award is a proud moment, but it is also a reminder that no adventure is travelled alone.
“Every challenge, friendship and achievement has been shaped by support and encouragement and belief of the people around me.”
The Australian Scout Award is the highest award anyone can earn in the Scout Section. It is considered the pinnacle of Scouting at this stage and a huge milestone for Scouts.
The award requires the approval of the Unit Council, and all the award requirements must be completed and approved before the Scout progresses to the Venturer Scout Section.
The Impact of Community, Inclusion, and Resilience
Lochy classifies himself as an adrenaline junkie who loves abseiling and has the biggest smile whenever he’s doing something risky.
Robert said Scouts had given Lochy the ability to achieve whatever he wanted.
“There is no wall stopping him doing whatever he can do, and he’s part of the community,” he said.
Alysha added the friendships Lochy had found at Scouts were so important.
“At school, even though there are other kids, he is still a little isolated, but Scouts gives him the opportunities, at Bracken Ridge and at camps,” she said. “It’s never a ‘no’, it’s ‘how can we help’.”
Scout leader Michael ‘Smiley’ Young said every kid wanted to be connected and happy and included.
“Inclusion works both ways – for the other kids, having Lochy here opens their eyes on how they can help others as well,” he said.
“Our other Scouts have grown by rethinking the activities they do.
“The overall goal of Scouting is to develop young people to be constructive members of the community and it’s important that everyone has the opportunity to develop and achieve.”
Leader Jeffrey ‘Kanga’ Gridley added that Lochy was a shining example to other kids.
“If you don’t try, you don’t know if you are going to like it or be able to do it,” he said.
“Scouts gives a safe environment for kids to be able to push their limits a little bit. Building resilience means you have to go outside your comfort zone.”
Learn more about Bracken Ridge Scouts.
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